Amongst studio house owners and others within the dance group, Randy Swartz’s title has develop into synonymous with dance flooring and, particularly, the Stagestep model. Swartz’s profession within the arts began a half century in the past, as a director and occasion presenter. He’s continued to serve the dance group via his firm Stagestep, the well-known dance flooring producer, which was shaped in 1968, and has develop into the oldest dance ground firm in the US.

His devotion to the humanities and the artists who make up the dance world will lengthy be the legacy of Stagestep, even after worldwide flooring group Gerflor acquired the model in November 2022. Stagestep is extra than simply dance flooring; it’s extra than simply upkeep and cleansing merchandise. Stagestep is in regards to the folks behind the merchandise which are bought – the studio house owners, dance lecturers, occasion administrators and humanities producers who’re all a significant a part of this business.

Stagestep presents providers corresponding to hurricane reduction for colleges and theatrical facilities which are impacted by pure disasters, and full technical assist for issues like ground samples, set up assist and general steering from flooring associates.

And the particular person behind all of that is and at all times has been Swartz. Dance Informa had the privilege of talking with Swartz earlier than he fully retires from Stagestep and the business. Learn on to listen to his ideas on the corporate’s new possession and newest merchandise!

Are you able to inform us about Stagestep’s new possession? Why do you suppose it’s a great transfer for the corporate?

“Gerflor is a global producer of specialty flooring working in 100 nations. They carry new territories, new merchandise and direct from the plant supply for the client. Which means extra alternative, higher worth, extra inventory readily available and the mixed expertise of different established manufacturers within the Gerflor household.”

Stagestep has been a dependable dance flooring service for the dance group for years. How and in what manner is Stagestep presently servicing the dance business?

“Stagestep is devoted to the dance group. Yearly, we take part in a number of conferences, permitting us to work together with dance studio house owners and study their challenges and successes. We’re growing new merchandise and introducing new know-how making it simpler to deal with the wants of our prospects.

Moreover, Stagestep is changing into extra interactive, simpler to contact and to speak with, and has added on-line kinds to deal with quotes and pattern requests. Lastly, Stagestep helps to assist the reconstruction of dance studios, ought to hurricanes or different pure catastrophe strike.”

What are Stagestep’s plans for the close to future? Any thrilling tasks or merchandise which are within the works, like the brand new Pulse studio efficiency ground?

“Stagestep has developed a ground particularly designed for breakdancing after testing and constructing a number of prototypes. It grew to become obtainable in July. Additionally within the works are a brand new line of ballet barres, a brand new skilled studio and touring Marley ground, and entrance mats to help in sustaining studio flooring.”

Stagestep presents an enormous number of merchandise. How is Stagestep a one-stop-shop for dance studio house owners relating to dance ground set up and upkeep?

“Over time, Stagestep has developed a line of merchandise that tackle each want and concern relating to set up and upkeep. Stagestep gives everybody with free entry to our set up and upkeep guides.”

What does being part of Gerflor now imply for the Stagestep firm?

“Extra capability, larger attain, new merchandise, together with a researched and improvement group and manufacturing companions, permitting Stagestep to broaden its capability to avoid wasting the dance group time and expense whereas providing high of the road merchandise.”

For extra data on Stagestep and all of the services it has to supply the dance group, go to www.stagestep.com. To be taught extra about Gerflor, head to www.gerflorusa.com.

By Laura Di Orio of Dance Informa.

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